Page 91 of The Last Call Home
Cass:Yep.That’s what we were doing today.Can you tell the townies that you heard I have the stomach flu and couldn’t open?My people were sick, too.
Lilah:You’re lucky you don’t sell food.Even with that, they might try to spin it into gossip about the cleanliness of the place.
Mal:Say something about a fishing trip.That’s where they got it.They didn’t open so nobody else would get sick.
Cass:Look at you making up shit, sheriff.
Lilah:Are all your employees agents?
Cass:Can I plead the fifth?
Lilah:You don’t have to call on your constitutional rights, Cassian.It’s okay if you can’t tell me.I’ll just assume.
Mal:Hey, I need to shower, but I’ll see you soon, Lilah?
Lilah:Yeah, I’ll have the frothy chocolate concoction ready for you.
Cass:It’s a mocha latte, Mal.Just accept that it’s a fucking latte.See you later, Lilah.
ChapterThirty-Seven
Lilah:You’re going to be an uncle again, Mal!
Mal:I heard.
Cass:Congrats, Uncle Mal.We should get together to celebrate.You know—have sex.
Lilah:How exactly does sex qualify as a celebration of the birth of Mal’s niece?
Cass:Who the fuck knows.I’m horny.Also, I heard your mom’s heading out on a cruise.
Lilah:Not until September.Switching gears—are we excited about the Moon & Maple Festival?
Mal:Is it happening already?Fuck.I hate festivals.
Cass:I love them.They bring in so much money I might retire before sixty.
Lilah:Wait—you’re selling the bar when you turn sixty?
Cass: No, I meant I’m retiring from CQS.
Mal:Like they’ll let you walk away.You’re locked in for life.They always need your expertise for something.
Cass:You tried to quit?
Mal:No.But there’s always some old guy “consulting” on every mission.
Cass:Okay, focus.How do we spend the night together—all of us?I’m tired of sneaking off to the cabin and saying goodbye before sunrise.
Lilah:You two spend nights together at your place.
Mal:We don’t.I head to the bar, spend an hour with him while he closes up, and then I check on you before the bakery opens.
Cass:Yep, it’s tragic.I wish I could convince him to stay—or you.
Lilah:Maybe I’ll tell my mother what’s happening between us.
Mal:No.
